Somerset County, ME – A community-driven garden project led by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office has surpassed expectations, producing 3,596 pounds of fresh vegetables for students and families across Somerset County.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the initiative began last spring through a partnership with Somerset Public Health and local elementary schools. Funded by the Full Plate, Full Potential grant, the project initially aimed to deliver 2,500 pounds of produce — a goal it exceeded by more than 1,000 pounds.
Maintenance teams built and maintained the garden’s infrastructure, while kitchen staff handled, prepared, and preserved the vegetables for delivery to local schools. Jail staff members, inmates, and community volunteers played a major role in keeping the garden thriving through the growing season.
Sheriff Lancaster credited the success to teamwork and community involvement, noting that the program was “rooted in compassion and collaboration.” The fresh produce has helped provide nutritious meals to students while strengthening local connections between public health, law enforcement, and education.
“This was a project rooted in community, compassion and collaboration,” Lancaster said. “I want to thank everyone for the role they played in making it such a success.”
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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